Distributing-case for postal cars and post-offices



(No Model.)

A.- J. SOHLIEMANN DISTRIBUTING CASE FOR POSTAL GARS AND POST OFPIGIIS-v No. 426,964. Patented Apr. 29, 1890.

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ANDREW J. soHLIEMANN', or ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

DISTRIBUTING-CASE FOR POSTAL CARS AND POST-OFFICES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 426,964, dated April 29, 1890.

Application filed February 25, 1890. Serial No. 841,691. (No model.) 7

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. SCHLIE- MANN, a citizen of the United States,'residing at Adrian, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Distributing-Cases for Postal Cars and Post-Offices; and I do hereby declare the followin g to be a full, clear,

and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates toimprovements in what are generally termed distributingcases for postal cars and post-offices. Postal cars are provided on each side and other convenient places with cases of pigeon-holes located above distributing-tables, said pigeonholes being labeled with the names of the principal stations along the route, the letters being sorted and distributed in the proper pi goon-hole by the clerk. A car, for instance, going from station A to station B will have its pigeon-holes labeled with the names of the final and intermediate points along the route, but should the same car return upon the same route labels of some or all of the pigeonholes must be reversed. Heretofore changeable labels have been used for each hole, to be attached and detached when a change is needed. The bottoms of the pigeon-holes have also been constructed to slide in or out, having different labels upon their opposite ends, so that the labels will be changed by reversing the ends of the bottoms. Both of said plans are objectionable on account of the time lost in changing labels or reversingthe bottoms, and, further, on account of the opportunity and liability for error in making the required changes.

The object of my invention is to provide a means whereby the labels may quickly and easily be reversed without any possibility of error.

With this object in View my said invention consists, essentially, in providing the pigeon holes of the distributing-case with bottoms so arranged that they are capable of revolving, and placing or inscribing the proper labels indicating opposite stations on opposite ends of said bottoms, so that when any given pigeon-hole is given a half-revolution the la b'els will be changed.

The particular construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my said invention I will now proceed to point out and describe, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective of a distributingcase provided with two sets of pigeon-holes, one side of the case being partially broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the case partially broken away, and Figs. 3 and 4 are details.

Referring to said drawings, A indicates a case of any 0rdinaryconstruction, of the usual size employed in postal cars and post-ofiices. and provided with any desired number of vertical portions. In the present instance but one portion a is used.

B represents the horizontal portions forming the bottoms of the pigeon-holes. These bottoms are mounted upon horizontal rods 0, having their ends journaled in bearings 0, formed in standards or uprights secured on the inside of the case, said standards being made in two parts for convenience in attaching the rods in the bearings. If desired, the rods may be mounted simply in bearings formed in the sides of the case. The ends of the rods project through the case, and to each of said rods at one end are attached handles of any suitable shape or design for operating the rods to reverse the bottoms. I preferably employ crank-handles D, as shown. Said rods may be operated independently, or alternate rods may be connected by a vertical rod E, having a hinged joint-connection e with the ends of the crank-handles, by means of which construction alternate bottoms may simultaneously be operated.

. When the rods are operated separately, I provide each handle with a locking-pin F, which engages with a suitable recess in the side of the case and locks the bottoms in the desired position. WVhen the handles are connected as described, the connecting-rod E need only be provided with a pin. Said pin may be spring-actuated, or any other desired stop or locking device may be employed for said rods and bottoms. The stops are so arranged that when the bottoms are locked in position said bottoms will incline from front to rear. Vhen the clerk reverses the bottoms they turn out toward the front, throwing any letter out which may remain therein. On one end of each bottom is placed or inscribed a label, and on the other end of said bottom the label indicating the reverse label needed. When the car is returning, for instance, as shown in the drawings, in a run from Toledo to Chicago, the label on the end would be Chicago. In returning, when the bottoms are reversed by revolving same, the label showing would indicate Toledo.

A distributing-box arranged as above described prevents any possibility of error in reversing labels, can be operated readily and quickly, and, further, as above stated, prevents any chance of a letter remaining in the pigeon-hole.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a distributing-ease for postal cars and post-offices, a series of pigeon-holes havin g revoluble bottoms, adapted to be provided with dilferent labels on the opposite ends of said bottoms, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a distributing-case for' postal cars and post-offices, a series of pigeon-holes having revoluble bottoms adapted to be provided with different labels on their opposite ends, mechanism for revolving the bottoms, and

means for locking said bottoms in the desired position, substantially as shown and described.

3. In adistributingease for postal cars and post-oflices, a series of pigeon-holes having revoluble bottoms adapted to be provided with different labels on their opposite ends, mechanism for revolving the bottoms, and means for locking the same in the desired position, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a distributing-case for postal ears and post-offices, a series of pigeon-holes having revoluble bottoms adapted to be provided with diiierent labels on their opposite ends, mechanism for simultaneously revolving said bottoms, and means for locking the same in the desired position, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a distributing-ease for postal cars and post-offices, a series of pigeonho1es having revoluble bottoms adapted to be provided with different labels on their opposite ends, mechanism for simultaneously revolving alternate bottoms located in the same vertical series, and means for locking the same in the desired position, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDRE\V J. SGI-ILIEMANN.

Witnesses:

R. B. ROBBINS, GEo. W. FLEMING. 

